Claire O'Hara

Multi World Champion: Freestyle Kayaking & Squirt Boat Kayaking

Saturday, December 30, 2017

San Juan, Argentina- Opening Ceremony

2017 ICF World Championships

The 2017 ICF World Championships opening ceremony kicked off the whole event in style. Straight after the last official team training finished the hole was closed to all competitors and the whole World Championships community headed into the city. There they were joined by a huge crowd as the San Juan community came together in the middle of the city center to put on a fantastic opening ceremony welcoming the athletes and visitors from around the world and kick starting the event. Starting off with an athlete parade and then an officially introduction of each country as the athletes made there way into the arena and took their seats it was very professionally done. Led by local youngsters carrying each countries flag and country name. All the athletes looked prepared and ready in their official uniforms.

Team Canada

Team GB 2017

Team Japan

Team Uganda

Enjoying the Opening Ceremony

Den coach and athlete at this years event

Jez and Josh team Australia

The Aussie's watch on as the ceremony begins

The athletes were then welcomed by local dignitaries and officials to San Juan and before watching an impressive TV production promotion video on the big screens around the venue about the build up to the competition and the forthcoming event. Then as the ICF officially declared the event open everyone celebrated as we were treated to an impressive display of Tango Dancers followed by local Cheerleaders launching not only each other but also a number of the kayakers up into the air amongst the crowd.

The major welcomes everyone

What a way to start the event

Fireworks light up the sky

The music blared and the city began to party as a massive fireworks display took place over head. Then as the party continued the athletes and officials were invited to a VIP area where they were treated to food and drinks.

Tom Dolle shows he has some moves off the water too

Dane battles against young Tom

Bennett flips into the mix

Lewy represents Australia

Lotty team NZ

Christina and Denise team Austria

The Pro's show how it should be done

With the action kicking off for me and Jez the next morning at 9am and it already being almost 11pm we skipped the food and party. Jumped back in the car and headed home to grab some well needed rest before the massive first day ahead.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Team Training Week

So as team training week begun my plan for four days rest quickly turned into two and a half days rest followed by one, 20 minute, team training slot which equaled about four runs in the feature and then another days rest. A change from what I originally had planned but only because I felt good and rested and wanted to go for a quick fun test paddle. I actually felt great for doing it to. I did just two competition runs which went really well and a play couple of runs, throwing some of the bigger tricks just in case I need them and get chance to use them in the comp, but it went well and put me in a great head space going into the event. Confident, knowing the feature well and rested I was feeling ready and excited for the event.

Last training session with Hitomi

Cameras everywhere

World Champion Emily Jackson practices her routine

The rest of the team training slots as I was off the water resting and Den was not only coaching but also
competing this year we changed roles each day and I would spend our team
training slots coaching Den and then straight after the British team it
was the Australian and New Zealand teams slots. So I would stay down
and enjoy some chill time by the feature coaching the Aussie's and
Kiwis. I spend a lot of time coaching these athletes every year so it
was awesome to be able to help them tidy up their runs and tricks ready
for them to challenge their personal bests at the competition. It was
also super cool seeing Den finally being able to showcase his talent on
the water. He is such a talented coach but he is also a phenomenal
freestyle athlete which sometimes goes unnoticed so this was his chance
to shin and it was a pleasure to be there alongside him.

Long term paddler development with young Aussie Christian

'Straylia coaches Me & Josh

So much fun working with Den

Aside from this 20 min paddling slot the rest of the official team training days I spent checking out the venue and getting used to the new infrastructure that was going up and the atmosphere down at the venue. I also had loads of time to catch up with friends and family from around the world. Knowing how hectic the actual competition week gets it was great to have a few days to see everyone before the madness of the main event kicks in.

The venue begins to take shape

The squirt boaters make the most of the designated training slot

Catching up with friends from around the world

Hanging out with team Australia between sessions

I also worked with local school teacher Vanessa to arrange some school visits. Each day different countries would send a team of athletes to local schools to visit and chat to the kids . Introducing them to freestyle kayaking and the competition that was coming up. But also giving them the opportunity to learn a little about different cultures and a chance to practice their English. This is a project that Jez created that has been running for a number of years at Freestyle World Championships and provides a really important community link.

Team GB juniors introduce local kids to kayaking

Inspiring the next generation

Team USA juniors

Team Canada, Team Poland, Team Spain so many athlete volunteering their time to help

There was also a really cool development programme being run by the ICF. I had a spare boat with me and was super happy to see it being used by this amazing project. Here is a link to the video their awesome coach Nouria Neuman made of their adventures in San Juan.

They made these awesome signs to say thank you to everyone who lent them boats and helped them out.

Plus I made a video highlighting my favorite tricks and also helping explain what to look for and a little bit about what the tricks are worth and how the judging works that excitingly has already had over 10,000 hits.

Another iconic thing that happens every World Championships during team training week is the official GB team meal. This year it took place at the really traditional Argentinian house that the team manager and coaches were staying at. With a pool, big garden and three BBQ's it was the perfect place for us to gather for an inspirational talk and celebration with great food before the event. Thanks to everyone back home who sent messages of support for the team which were read out on the night.

GB Team Dinner

Funky Argentina Home photo 1

Funky Argetina home photo 2

Then with one day to go Jez arrived from Australia which was awesome the final piece to the puzzle. The World Championships preparations now felt complete. Jez got one hour of training in before he was into the on the ground madness joining the ICF committee and World Championships organizing team to coordinate and help pull together the final pieces for the event. Jez as always throwing himself into the deep end being involved in a million and one projects and being a very important component of making this whole event work. This year Jez is on the ICF Freestyle Committee and has been working tirelessly all year helping organize the whole event. Plus he is the lead announcer and in charge of the announcing team for the entire World Championships. As well as this as Chair of the Australian Freestyle Committee and head coach helping make sure the Aussie team are ready and prepared for and of course he is competing in the C1 class. So he arrived to absolute madness but it was really cool to see him (even if it was just for 5 minutes) and have him finally on the ground in Argentina.

He made it just in time for 1 quick training session

Check out this amazing video Tom Dolle made showcasing how insanely well Dane Jackson is paddling right now